3D printing of plant tissue for innovative food manufacturing: Encapsulation of alive plant cells into pectin based bio-ink. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vancauwenberghe, Valérie; Baiye Mfortaw Mbong, Victor; Vanstreels, Els; Verboven, Pieter; Lammertyn, Jeroen; Nicolai, Bart
• Is Part Of: Journal of food engineering. Volume 263(2019)
• Page Start: 454
• Page End: 464
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Additive manufacturing -- Encapsulation -- Plant cells -- Porosity -- 3D food printing; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Analyse -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2017.12.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-8774

Abstract

Abstract: 3D food printing allows creation of foods by depositing food material according to computer aided designs. However, the number of printable materials for food is still low which limits the possibilities of creating specific structures and textures. A novel approach is tested of using food printing materials incorporating plant cells in order to print foods that resemble plant tissues in various ways. A 3D printing method was developed based on the extrusion of bio-inks composed of a low-methoxylated pectin gel and embedded lettuce leaf cells. Bovine serum albumin was added in order to increase the air fraction in the printed gel matrix. Objects containing up to 5 × 10 6 cells/mL were successfully 3D printed. The mechanical strength increased by the pectin concentration and decreased with the increase of air fraction and concentration of encapsulated cells. The viability of the encapsulated plant cells depended on the pectin concentration and varied from 50 to 60%. Highlights: Objects were 3D printed using pectin gel and encapsulated alive plant cells. Objects with variable properties were printed by changing the bio-ink composition. Bovine Serum albumin increased the air fraction in the printed gel matrix. The increase of pectin concentration increased mechanical properties of printed object. The viability of encapsulated plant cells depended on the pectin concentration.